Missing Academy professor found, treated for injuries

  • Published
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  An Air Force Academy professor is being treated at a Chaffee County hospital after being airlifted by helicopter from a cliff near Mount Shavano June 30.

Lt. Col. Dave Richie, 43, was found conscious but injured in a remote area near Maysville, Colorado, and taken to The Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center in Salida.

The extent of his injuries is unknown at the time of this report.

Richie, an astronautics professor, was reported missing June 27. Before he was found, he was last seen June 27 in Colorado Springs purchasing a trail map for the Salida-St. Elmo region.

A Missing Person's report was filed June 27 with the Colorado Springs Police Department and the Academy's 10th Security Forces Squadron.

The Chaffee County Sheriff's Office was the lead agency in this search.

Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze said search helicopters were requested from the Air National Guard due to the area's steep terrain. Spezze said Richie appeared to have suffered a leg injury.